Philip Morris Korea announced Nov. 4 that it has launched a project to push forward its vision of a smoke-free future in Daegu City and Gyeongbuk region.

The ‘Smoke-Free City’ project will last until the end of this year.

“Smoke-free future is not just simply a motto of our company’s vision,” Philip Morris Korea Managing Editor Chong Il-woo said in a statement.

“Through our project in Daegu and Gyeongbuk, we hope to transparently provide scientific information to consumers and stakeholders, and create a progressive environment that protects everyone.”

As the company’s first project in the region, its staff will visit major public places and commercial areas in Daegu and conduct consulting to open its ‘vaping rooms,’ a space exclusively for heat-not-burn products and e-cigarettes.

The company explained that these vaping rooms are different from smoking rooms in that less harmful substances will be released, and consumers who use HNB products and e-cigarettes can be protected from being exposed to smoke from conventional cigarettes.

It is finalizing its plan to establish vaping rooms in public spaces frequently used by Daegu citizens.

It will also select suitable spaces at apartments and residential complexes in Daegu and Gyeongbuk to support them in setting up vaping rooms.

By Song Seung-hyun (ssh@heraldcorp.com)